Giuliani: Richard’s gonna win’

Supporters of Republican congressional candidate Richard Hanna packed the Hotel Utica lobby and its balcony Wednesday as former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani formally endorsed Hanna in the 24th Congressional District race....

Supporters of Republican congressional candidate Richard Hanna packed the Hotel Utica lobby and its balcony Wednesday as former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani formally endorsed Hanna in the 24th Congressional District race.

After receiving a loud greeting from the few hundred people in attendance, Giuliani said he could “feel” something about how the election would turn out.

“Richard’s gonna win,” Giuliani said.

The energetic crowd included Republican officials from Oneida and Herkimer counties and supporters holding signs such as “Utica loves Hanna” and “Richard Hanna – the voice we need in Congress.”

After Giuliani, a Republican who led New York City through the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, gave a speech and answered some questions, a “Hanna” chant broke out.

Later, as he was leaving, Giuliani said, “That was a good rally.”

Hanna, of Barneveld, is challenging U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica, in the election.

‘In an election’

Despite the enthusiasm at Hanna’s event, both candidates downplayed the influence the endorsement would have on the final decision voters make.

“He’s a hero of mine – I’m honored to have him here,” Hanna said of Giuliani. “I don’t know how big of a part endorsements play in an election.”

In a phone interview Wednesday, Arcuri said endorsements are part of election season, but he thinks voters in the district are sophisticated and will choose between the candidates based on their views on issues.

“You sort of expect these things in a campaign,” Arcuri said. “I don’t have anything bad I would say about Mayor Giuliani.”

Josh Kraushaar, executive editor of National Journal’s Hotline, said endorsements rarely decide the results of House races, and Giuliani’s endorsement likely won’t swing any voters who were on the fence.

Steven Schneider, a political science professor at SUNYIT, said the endorsement can’t hurt Hanna, and it helps establish that Hanna has the support of Republican leadership.

“I think endorsements always matter,” Schneider said. “However, I think people are going to vote on how well they know these candidates and what they’re going to do for this district.”

Hanna and Arcuri said they don’t have other specific endorsement events scheduled at this time.

‘The real deal’

During the event, Giuliani said he supports Hanna because he is a fiscal conservative who would serve as an independent voice for the district. Hanna also is a straightforward, “real person” instead of a politician, Giuliani said.

“He’s the real deal,” Giuliani said. “He really is.”

Giuliani also criticized the agenda of Democratic President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi by saying they are increasing government spending and the size of government. Candidates such as Hanna need to be elected to create a Republican House and Senate to balance a government that has become too liberal and “social Democratic,” Giuliani said.

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“I’ve never seen an administration that has gone so far in the wrong direction,” he said.

Hanna also was critical of the overall path of the federal government – saying the nation now spends more than it earns, imports more than it exports, borrows more than it can pay back and consumes more than it produces. Hanna said the election is about what people want the future of the country to look like.